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W. A. JACKSON 85 W. B.. COLE.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Patented July 8, 1884.

. m is@ Nk. Lswmaoamka N. PETERS. Phal-Lnhugnpmr. wwmmn DAL (No Mogel.) l 2 sheets-sheet W. A. JACKSON & R. COLE.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

No. 30L604. Patented July 8, 1884.

UNITED STATES! PATENT Ormea,

WILLIAM A. JACKSON AND VILLIAM R. COLE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS TO THE WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILL.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

JPECIPICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 301,604, dated July 8, 1884-.

Application led March 5, l. (No model.)

To all whomf it Wawy concern,.-

Be it known that we, WILLIAMA. JACK- Vson and VILLIAM R. COLE, of Detroit, in the county of'Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Telephone Systems; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in telephoneexchange system and apparatus therefor; and the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of automatic switching mechanism, whereby a large part of the manual work of connecting two subscribers lines is done away with. This improved switching apparatus is herein shown and described in connection with a telephone system wherein the subscribers7 drops are arranged in groups placed. upon separate disks having a multiple switch-board, provided with line-plates, which normally are disconnected fromthe lines', and are connected by a series of trunk-lines, each trunk line connecting all the line-plates of like mark on all the switch-boards in the echange.

In the drawings which accompany this speci! cation, Figure lis a diagram ofthe apparatus and connections necessary for connecting two subscribers. Fig. 2 is a section through the combined local andsubscribers drop. Fig. 3 is a detached rear elevation of the switch which operates inconnection with each drop. Fig. fit-is a diagram showing the position of the switching apparatus on the operators desk. p

A is a section of a multiple switch-board, showing a number of line-plates marked with the number of subscriber. Each of these 1i neplates is insulated from allthe others, and is provided with a plug-hole for connecting any two line-plates by means of two electricallyconnected plugs.

B B are trunk lines, each trunk line connecting all the line-plates of like mark.

C C are two subscribers lines, each of which is provided with va drop, D, and is normally grounded by a sliding switch, E, in the fol lowing manner: u is a contact-spring forming vthe terminal of the subscribers7 line. b is a metallic ferrule secured to the lower end of the sliding switch E, and insulated therefrom. c is another contact-spring, which connects with the branch wire F, which forms the terminal to earth for the subscribers line. Atthe normal position of the switch E the contactsprings a and c are both in contact with the metallic ferrule b.

G is a local drop, which is combined with the subscribers drop D, as shown, so that the armature of the local drop will also actuate the armature of the subscribers drop. This is obtai ned by means of a small plate, d, which is secu red to the forward end ci' the armature of the local drop and rests upon the rear end ofthe armature of the subscribers drop.

e is the shutter of the subscribers drop, and f is the clearingout shutter of the local drop.

H is a test-line. I are test-batteries in the vcircuits of the tesi-line.

J is a branch starting from the test-line, and after passing through the local drop terminates in a contact-spring, g, which normally is in contact with the sliding switch E,

'K is another branch line terminating in a contact-spring, h, which is always in contact with the sliding switchy E. There is one of these branch lines K for each trunk line, connecting the trunk line with the sliding switch of like niark. The sliding switch E is automatically operated by the subscribersdrop.

vIn Figs. 2 and 3 the sliding switch is shown in detail and connected to the drop, by which it is operated, and is constructed as follows: e ch g are the contactsprings before described. l1 is the insulated ferrule between the contact:v springs a c. lThese contact-springs are secured to the insulating-strips j is a plate secured to the strips i. 7c is a little lever pivoted in a proper slot in the plate j. lis a'shoul-` derl formed on the switch-key E, by means of which the upper end of the lever-k prevents the switch-key E from being drawn downward bythe ,action of the spring m, which presses upon the thuinbpiece or handle n, secured to the lower end of the switch-key.

In operation, whenever the shutter e is released by the action of the drop D, in falling it strikes against the lower end of the lever 7c IOO . wirey to the insulated section t.

with sufficient force to disengage the shoulder Z, allowing the switch-key E to be drawn down by the action'of the spring m. In this latter position the electrical contact between the contact-springs a and 'c is then broken, and a new electrical contact between the contact-springs a and lt is formed. The contact-springg has also broken its contact with the switch-key. The clearing-out shutter f, which lies back of .the shutter e, is provided below its pivotal point with a tail-piece, o, which rests against the shoulder Z of the switch-key, except when the latter is in its depressed position. Thus the shutter e will drop whenever released by the armature; but the shutter f will not drop unless released by the armature and by the shoulder Z. The object of this different construction is to prevent the shutter f from `dropping by one single action of the armature of the drop D, (as the electrical current passing over the subscriber-s line through the -drop D and contact-springs a c to earth will be broken before the vshutter f can leave the retainingnotch of the larmature of the drop D.)

R is a revolving switch. grams in Fig. l.) lt is constructed as follows: p p are two metallic disks secured at a small distance apart upon a shaft which is j ou`rnaled in a proper frame, q. The disk p is provided with the insulated sections a s t, and the disk p with the insulated sections u and e. L L are two contact-springs adapted to bear against the face of each disk. M is an electro-magnet provided with an armature the free end of which is adapted lto engage with a` shoulder orV stop on the wheel N which is secured to the shaft of the disks p p. O is a plug electrically vconnected to the contact-spring L. O. is a plug electricallyvconnected with the contact-spring L, P is a weight attached to a cord which passes over and around the shaft between the disks p 19. There are as many of these switches R placed upon each operators desk as will be found necessary for the busi- -ness of the office, and each switch is electri-y cal-ly connected as follows: A branch wire, w, connects the electro-magnet M with the testline. Abranch wire, x, connects theinsulated section s of the disk p with the generator-line Q. A Abranch wire, S, connects the insulated section aof the disk p with the operators telephone and transmitter, and then extends onto the .ground-line.

Y 1is a signal-battery, one pole of which is connected by the wire y Vto the insulated section c, while the-other pole is connected by the T is a buzzer inthe circuit of the signal-battery. v

The operation of the yrevolving switch R is as follows: Suppose a call is received from sub.- scriiber l, the operator seeing the shutter Nof. l open takes up telephone-plug'O and puts it in the socket of line-plate l. This ,puts the operators telephone onto subscribers line,

the connection being established as followsf:v From subscribers line through drop D to acon'- l tact-spring a; then to contact-spring h, (the (Shown inv dia- 'tact with the contact-spring L. vlishes the signal-current of battery Y, which switch-key E having been depressed by the vaction of the shutter;) then through branch K to trunk line B l to line-plate 1; from there to plug O and connectingcord to spring L',

through sections u and branch wire S, throughl Upon asceroperators telephone to ground. taining the4 wants of the subscriber, which we will suppose to be a call for connection with No. 52 subscriber, the operator seizes the testplug O and inserts it into the socket of lineplate 52, and if subscribers line 52 is not in use a test-circuit will be established which automatically connects the two subscribers. The testcircuit is established as follows: From line-plate 52 through plug O and its connecting-cord to contact-spring L; through insulated section 1" to electro-magnet M; through branch w to testline H; then, passing over on v this test-line to the switch-board on which No.

52 line terminates, it passes through branch wire J and local drop 52 yto contact-spring g,

switch-key E, contact-spring h, branch wire Kv into trunk-line B 52, 'back to line-plate 52 on operator s board, thus closing the circuit. The establishing of this test-circuit performs two operations: first, it actuates the switch-key E,

so-as to break subscriber7 s 52ground andconnect' it with its trunk line; and, secondly, it actuates the electro-magnet M and disengages its armature from the stop on the wheel N,

allowing the disk p p to rotate with the shaft The plug O may-be called a test- IOO tions s', and then with the insulated section t,

and then with'thc solid part-of the disk p, while the contact-spring L' comes in contact, rst,with the-insulated section o, and then with the solid part of the disk p. The handle or stop U prevents'the switch lfrom making a conipletc revolution, as the handle is arrested ybybeing stopped against the frame. Now, bearing in mind that both the line-plates l and 52are.

the terminals of their Arespective lines, it will be seen that at the-moment the insulated section s comes in contact with thecontact-spring L a generator-current will be sent through the station of subscriber 52'. lUpon the insulatedsection t coming incontact with thecontact-spring IIO L, the insulated section@ has also come in-con- This estabpasses from insulated sections to through the connecting-plugs O O over trunk lines `l 52 the subscribers lines simultaneously ground each other. rlvhe audible signal .produced by go aheadf7 and subscribers lines 1 52 -to ground, while 4- I the inside shutter.

como@ this preconcerted signal subscribers Nos. l and 52 will be connected for talking, as both the contactsprings L L have now come in contact withfthe solid part of the disks p p',

5 which, through the medium of the metallic shaft upon which said disks are secured, complete the connection between the terminals of the lines of subscribers 1 and 52. It will be understood that the establishing or the testcircuit, succeeded by a generator current, must drop both shutters on 52 drop, and the operator in charge of this line, understanding it to be a local call, (a direct call would have only dropped the outside shutter,) replaces Now, while subscribers l and 52 are talking the inside or clearingout shutters of both drops l and 52 are closed, and upon ringing oii" by either of theV subscribers both will drop, after which the shutters and the sliding keys E are restored to their normal position. This may be done by a stick provided with mittle fork at the end,

which engages with the thumbpiecen upon the endof the sliding key and lifts the shutters at the same time. The switch -R is restored to its normal position bythe operator taking hold of R, and in practice we propose to arrange these switches on the operators7 desks, as shown in Fig. 1, where the switchboard is divided into two sections-one upright and one inclined with a partly-rounded shelf between, through which the handles U sufficiently projectto wind the switch and indicate its condition. On the straight part .of the shelf the connecting-plugs may then `be arranged and provided with devices for retracting their cords below the table when not in use.

By using separate connecting-plugs for the lines and connecting the springs L L to talking 'and calling and test bars alternately arranged between the lineplates, as shown in another application of ours, one switch, R, for each operator is thensuflicient.

Wie are aware that either or both of the automatic switches herein described may be advantageously applied to other exchange systems and for like purposes. The advantage of these automatic switches for making quick connections is easily apparent, as the time consumed is represented by the time it takes the operator 'to place the plug O into its re spective line-plate, plus the time the disks p 6o ptake to revolve over the different sections placed thereon.

What we claim as our invention isl. The combination, in atelephone-exchange system, of aseries of multiple switch-boards, each provided with line-plates normally disconnected froin the lines, but iforming the `line-connecting terminals of a series of subscriberslines formed into groups, one group for each switch-board; of a series of trunk lines connecting all the line-plates of like mark;y of a talking, calling, testing, and lineconnecting outfit for the operator of each switch-board; of a series of line and trunkline drops, connected in pairs and grouped the same as the lines, and of a series of automatic switch-keys, one for each pair of drops, and so arranged that either drop will automatically operate it, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. The combinatiomin a telephoneexchange switch, of a series of multiple switch-boards having line-plates normally disconnected from `l-the lines; oia series of subscribers7 lines di- 'vided in groups among the switch-boards; of

a series of trunk lines normally disconnected from the lines and connecting the line-plates of likeniark; of a talking, calling, testing, and line-connecting outiit for each operator; ofa series of line and trunk-line drops connected in pairs and grouped and marked the saine as the lines; of a series of switches, one for each pair ofdrops, for automatically connecting the lines with their respective trunk lines by the mechanical operation of the an nunciator-shutter, and of a series of impelled switches, one or more for each switchboard operator, for automatically connecting and dis connecting his talking and calling outiit with the lines by the operation of the test-circuit, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. In a telephone-exchange-switch system` having normally-disconnected line-plates artrunk lines connecting the line-plates of like mark, the combination, with a series of auto- -matic line and trunlrline conneeting-switches,

of a second series of switches automatically operating make-and-break contacts in each operators talking, calling, and testing out- Vfit, with means for connecting either outfit ,to any line-plate; of a test-circuit normally closed through all the switches and forming terminals of all the line-plates, and of devices for automatically actuating the switches by the establishing ot' the test-circuit, substantially as and for the purpose described.

a. In a telephone-exchange switch having multiple switch-boards, the line-plates ot' which form the line-connecting terminals, and

trunk lines connecting all the line-plates of like niark, the combination, with a series of` subscribers lines grouped among the switchboards, of a series of switches 4.for automatically disconnecting each line from earth and IOO IIC)

connecting it with its trunk line, of a series of switches forming vautomaticallyi operated make-and-break contacts in the operators talking, calling, and testing circuits, and of a series of switchplugs connected in pairs by flexible cords to each of the aforesaid switch es, and so arranged that normally they are electrically disconnected from each other, but arc electrically connected to each other by the automatic op;ration of the switches to which l ot'a series of insulated contact-pieces on themovable part of the switch, of connections bc1 tween the insulated contact-pieces ofthemovable part of the switch and the differenty signaling-circuits; of eleetrically-connected con'- tacts on the movable part of the switch; ofl

impelling devices for the switch, and of an electro-magnet in the test-circuit, which forms an automatically-operating detent for the-imi-A pelling device.

6. rlhe combination,in a telephoneexchange system having multiple switch-boards, each under the care of one operator, and provided with line-plates which are normally discon` nected from the lines, but constitute the lineconnecting terminals, of subscribers dropI and trunk-line drops connected in pairs, and divided in groups among the switchboards; of an inside and outside shutter for each pair of drops in common; of mechanical devices for .preventing the subseribers drop torelease more than one shutter at a time; of a series di' switch-keys operated by the falling of the outside shutter, which automatically disconnects the line of the drop 'from its earth-terminal and connects it with its trunk line, and oftatest-circuit and emmectingplugs, whereby each operator can make any line-plate on hi's board the terminal of the line without the aid of another operator, while at the same time a visual signal, distinguishable from a subscribers signal, is disclosed on `that operators desk from which the line has been taken.

7. rlhecombination',inatelephone-exchangi system having multiple switch-boards, yeach under the care of one operator, and'provided with line-plates which are normally disconnected from the lines, but constitute .the lineconnecting. terminals, ot' 'subscribers7 drops and trunk-line drops connected in pairs and divided in groups among the boards; of alinunciating and clearing-out shutters in com,- mon for each pair of drops 5 of a series f switch-keys operated by the anininciatorshutter, which automatically disconnects the sub scribers line from earth and connects it with its trunk li ne; oi' a tal king, testing, calling-and connecting outfit for each operator, of a series of automatic signal-switches, one or more for each operator, forming an integral part of his signaling-outiit, and provided with an impelling device controlled by the test-circuit, and of a signal-battery and buzzer controlled by the automatic signalswitch, all so arranged that when the operator has inserted one of a pair of connecting plugsv into his subscribers line-plate and the other into the respondents line-plate, the lwhole modus 019ercmdi Lof connecting two subscribers will be scribed. y

8. The combination ,in a telephone-exchange system, of the talking-outt of an operator with a buzzer, a signal-battery, and an impelled switch, the latter constructed substanthe generator-current rings up the respondent subscriber, lsends a battery-current through the buzzer, and simultaneously grounds the lines of the two subscribers for the purpose of conveying an 'audible signal from the buzzer to one or both.

lbination of any two line-'plates forming terminals of two lines; of a pair of connecting-plugs,

tacts L L', of the impelled switch R, having disks p p', provideifbwith insulated and noninsulated sections, which form the movable contacts of the switch, substantially as ydean automatically-operating detent.

10. The `combination of a series of revolving signal-switches, R, provided with handles U, for rotating the same to their normal position, and con necting-plugs O O,with the shelf A ofthe desk, through the rounded portion of which the handles U project, to limit the rotation of said switches, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

bination, with any two-line plates, of a series of line-plates normally disconnected from the lines, but constituting the line-connecting terminals; of the two connecting-plugs O O', procontacts L L', of the insulatedsegmental contacts a r,- of the impelled switch It; of the connections between the insulated contacts a r and the talking and testing circuits; of the so arranged that normally the talking and testing circuit is closed through the switch.

. l2. Incombination with subscribers7 lines, and corresponding trunk lines having their separate operatingtablcs, switches for said wires normally disconnecting them; a test-cir cuit normally including the Aconnections between the test-line and each trunk line on testline,and closing its circuit by contact with a line-plate, and an impelled switch in the test-circuit, which is normally inactive, but upon the closing of the test-circuit isimpelled, whereby a visual and positive signal is giveiito the test-operator, substantially as set forth.

13. In combination with subscribers7 lines ing drops combined in pairs and grouped among separate operating-tables, which have 9. In a telephone exchange system, the comd drops connected ;in pairs and grouped among which lthe trunk-line drops are placed; a flexi- -v ble eordfand plug lforming a terminal of the performed automatically, substantially as dev tially as described, whereby the breaking of lO O, and their cords; of the stationary convscribed, and ofthe electro-magnet M, forming IOO 11. In a telephone-exchange systcm,the ccmvided with flexible cords; of the stationary electromagnet M, and ot' the test-circuit, all:

'and their trunk lines having their correspondmultiple line-plates normally disconnected fromv the lines 5 switches for each line and its trunk line, which are automatically operated by the action of either drop, and whereby the line is connected to its trunk line, and the trunk line disconnected from the test-line; an impelled switch .set in motion by the closing of the test-circuit, contacts in said impelled switch for the test-battery and generator, and a iiexibie cord and plug connected to the impelled switch, whereby therclosing of the test-circuit will automatically start the switch, and, after breaking the testcircuit, will make and break a generator-circuit for ringing up.

14. The combination of the annunciatingtshutter e, sliding switch E, having shoulder Z, detent lc, and springm.

15. The combination of the clearing out shutter f, its tailepieee o, and the sliding'key E, the latter constructed and arranged tohold the shutter in place independently of the ar mature of the drop.

16. The combination of the sliding switch E, spring m, shutters ef, and thumb-piece n, the part-s being constructed and arranged to allow the switch and shutters to be simultaneously returned to their normal position.

17. The combination of the lcontacts L L', disks pp', stop U, detent N, electro-magnet M,

3o and iinpellillg-.Weghll P- 18. The combination, with a centralbtce switch, of an impelled signaling-switch which controls the signaling apparatus; of devices for connecting any one or two subscribers lines with this signaling-switch; of an electro-inagnet in the test-circuit, and of the signaling apparatus, the armature of which forms a detent for the impelling device of the switch, so that the act of establishing the test-circuit will automatically start the switch, substan' WILLIAM A. JACKSON. WILLIAM R. COLE.

Witnesses:

H. S. SPRGUE, E. SCULLY. 

